Jam Chart for Runaway Jim (67 entries)

> a strong "Jim," this super, early version, showcases the song's potential - not as a jamming heavyweight, but how "Jim" was played for the better part of four years" A versatile, fiery, "turn-it-up" number, which also functions to illustrate the band's considerable, and emerging, full-band musicianship.

> from "Coil", "Jim" offers a nice, stark contrast, illustrating the band's versatility. Mike's line (later picked up by Page) is fun and infectious, before the song's sustained and collective calm explodes into incredibly fast play - even for early Trey.

The Great American Music Hall provides the stage for one of the greatest examples of an emerging Phish staple, the affectionately labeled: "Runaway Foam". First, Fish is awesome. Second, Trey makes a number of subtle and savvy moves that lay the foundation - or at least functions as illustration - for "Jim's" inevitable groundbreaking potential.

Right around the 3:40 mark Trey alights upon an incredible groove, which he works through any number of nuanced, melodic changes. Incredibly, Page keeps pace, and the version builds not so much to peak as to crest upon the strength of really strong play before, eventually, Trey goes off.

Eons before there was life upon a "Soul Planet", there was "Runaway Jim". > from "ALS", this New Year's rocker blends some imaginative aspects of the year's strongest versions, before, as was so often the case, bleeding into crazy, frenzied play from Fish and Trey. A fitting finale for one of 1991's finest songs.

> "Cold as Ice", this hot show-closer features playful and melodic Trey, with a pinch of verve, and a whole lot of swagger. Pushing boundaries, the version lays the foundation for future jamming here, there, or anywhere.

Running 8:42, this "Jim" is one of the longest versions to date, and the band capitalizes upon every possible moment. Anchored by typically strong percussion, Trey swings through two separate, yet equally strong runs, his inspired play complimented by great bass and on-point Page.

> from "Buried Alive", this deep, throbbing version sees the band shrugging their youthful exuberance, the musicians coalescing to concentrate upon an excellent, protracted jam which sounds a couple years before its time.

"Jim" opens this historic show's second set, showcasing Page's new found sound (seriously, check it out). That aside, the version is superb, the band locked in as, within "Jim", they begin to truly toy with tension ratcheted not solely for the purpose of release.

Really cool version with Trey (5:27) leading the band through extended "DEG"-like play, before (5:52) entering what sounds like "Rift". This, then, into raw and raucous soloing, which brings the version to a customarily strong close.

Mike is busy through an extended intro, engaging in a sort of musical banter with Trey, as the two seemingly swap signals. A calm then warms into a cool, really unique jam, featuring notably spacey Trey, who employs sweeping sustain and melodic variation to create a great soundscape before play very, very, slowly builds in intensity. Awesome.

Dazzling, swirling play from Trey as the jam becomes subdued and assumes an almost "Weekapaug" vibe. Fish remains relentless, and he rocks and rolls the band through a wild rise which finds Trey zipping through simply incredible runs.

Demented. The jam, like a 95 "Reba", seems like an exercise in speed. Fish's play is remarkable, all technical terms seemingly applicable. Trey works his own sort of wizardry, and the version becomes like a "Stash", rife with tension and release.

Awesome opener. Typically great guitar builds seamlessly to a incredibly thick and textured groove (5:00) which the band, circa late 90s, rides like a wave. Trey breaks to solo atop steady percussion before working the version to a smart conclusion.

As @SLAVEPHAN notes, the band pushes through an Arabic, minor-key groove, and the version features some distinct hey-jamming, with each musician taking turns changing the musical direction. Play becomes quite tense, and, at times, there seems to be no real resolution on the horizon. One of the finest "short" versions.

Another strong, groove-oriented jam, which, primarily because of tape quality, provides a great look at PageÃ¢â¬â¢s strong play. Trey, however, locks into a great riff, which Mike then echoes, as Fish, as usual, drives the version's frenetic pace.

Great, growly tone from Trey, the jam building and bettering as Fish propels the intensity. Trey's play becomes truly dynamic, with great rhythmic melodic variation offset by huge, sweeping sustain. And Fish just crushes his cymbals.

More great tone with Trey quickly breaking to solo, alternating between rapid-fire play and measured blasts of sustain. Fish picks up the pattern, with the musicians swapping ideas. Trey then really, really, leans into his pedal to shape his sound, with the band breaking to peak before the song's closing refrain. Cool version, and a sign of things to come.

Intense, psychedelic and incredibly improvisational version. Has similarities in the final 10 minutes to the Providence "Bowie." Oddly, seems unheralded among the canon of all-time, must-hear jams. -> to "Free."

Breaks away from "Jim" at about 8:45 into percussion-driven exploration. The jam gets way out there, with some tension and dissonance, before morphing its way (->) into "Makisupa." Not beautiful music, but highly improvisational.

The recording, while imperfect, does well to capture Trey's signature (95) tone, and Page's strong play. The band creates an excellent passage of sustained "calm", which they deftly rebuild before Trey trills the version to a strong peak.

Opening almost as many shows as "CDT", it's impossible to decide upon the best "Jim" opener. Here, however, had song not followed "BATT", we would certainly find a version worthy of consideration. Trey's Leslie-soaked tone drips with color like some fever dream, and Fish's play, as ever, is unparalleled. Amazing play from an amazing show.

> "2001", check out the fun, "Euro" clapping running through the intro. Surprisingly, the jam assumes a slightly darker sentiment, which runs counter to "Jim's" usual plucky, upbeat tone. Fish is super, as is Trey, and play almost seems to veer into "CHYMK" before brightening, Trey leading the band into the song's customarily strong conclusion.

> "The Curtain", the "Clifford Ball's" special, sweet version is executed with great precision, a case study in tone, tempo, and meter. The band an ethereal conduit for (or from) some other dimension, here is nothing but on-point play, the four as one expertly channeling their supremely crafted vision.

Incredible, straight-forward set-opener. What the jam might lack in terms of inventive improvisation (evinced earlier, and throughout Summer 1997's tour) is more than compensated for by way of tight, full-band play, and absolutely incendiary Trey, who puts on a clinic.

An epic summertime odyssey of exploration, and among the best "Jims" ever. Loaded with improvisation and near-ambient sound, the opus closes with a "Maria" (West Side Story) tease and a triumphant return to "Jim."

Unusual, somewhat ineffable version, which features more by way of wide-open spaces than compact, in-your-face jamming. TreyÃ¢â¬â¢s 1998 style and tone is clearly on display, and the band does eventually coalesce to enter a bit more by way of a rocking, extended jam (listen for Page's interesting, and varied, contributions) which, in time, > for Ã¢â¬ÅMoma DanceÃ¢â¬Â.

Excellent, multi-part "Jim." A serene yet percussive groove emerges first, followed by a transition with delay bombs dropping. Then Trey hits the mini-keyboard for a plunky, unusual jam before space and a -> to a very good "Theme."

A very improvisational version and the first exploratory "Jim" to open Set II since 7/3/00. Most, but not all of the sections have a mildly dark tone which counter-balance the several very upbeat jams elsewhere in this historic show.

Excellent, multi-section "Jim." The jam begins with a dark tone, shifts to some great, percussive rocking midway through, then explores more bleak territory before reaching interplanetary space and > to "Carini."

> from "NICU", this fun, cerebral version, evokes early, compact "Jim's". Colored with 2018's melodic textures and graceful pacing, Page's play is impassioned, while Trey bends notes and shapes notable blasts of sustain, before building the jam to a packed, trill-filled conclusion.

A nice, Page and Trey-led mini jam occurs during the first instrumental bridge. In the main jam segment, soothing, straightforward, and relaxed playing rapidly gives way to an inspired crescendo, with great Page and Fish.

Jam chart versions are selected because of improvisational and other characteristics that distinguish these from typical versions of the song.
The jam chart team has highlighted some versions with a yellow background; these are the versions the team believes to be especially improvisational, or otherwise notable.
A purple date indicates that you were in attendance.

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